The new Amtrak station atr Kannapolis, NC opened officially on February 23rd, although Amtrak started using the facility before then.

Along the future Salisbury-Asheville rail line, stations rehabilitation is almost complete at Marion, Old Fort, and Morganton. These three stations will be dedicated in the spring. Until passenger service resumes, the buildings will have interim uses.

Hamlet and Southern Pines, two North Carolina stations served only by the SILVER STAR, have both been totally renovated. Although Hamlet was dedicated in December 2004, it has had to close temporarily due to sprinkler system problems. Southern Pines was dedicated in February.

Greensboro hopes to have the Amtrak component in their intermodal transportation center opened by the October timetable change. A new platform was built to accommodate trains coming from Raleigh. The existing passenger tunnel and a baggage tunnel each are being extended to the new platform. The platform is also getting a second track.

CAPT's newsletter covers DOT Secretary Norman Mineta's visit to Charlotte as part of his tour touring Amtrak reforms and the zero budget. CAPT was ready for him, and was successful in the overall feeling tha Mineta was not well received during his visit. During his time in Charlotte, he toured the consist of the PIEDMONT, which normally lays over near the station during the day.

Durham, NC will have a sprawling intermodal facility when completed. Amtrak will most likely be moving to the opposite side of the tracks. Triangle Transportation Authority (TTA), which will operate regional rail service between Durham, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Triangle Research Park, will redevelop the current Amtrak site for themselves. There will be pedestrian bridges connecting those to intercity and local buses, taxis, etc. Unfortunately, there will be a rather long walk between the intercity and TTA rail stations, similar to that between Amtrak/VRE and Metro in Alexandria, VA.